Combined boat trailer and shelter



Aug. 29, 1961 R. P. LARsEN 2,998,150

COMBINED BOAT TRAILER AND SHELTER Filed Aug. 19,' 1957 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 29, 1961 Filed Aug. 19, 1957 R. P. LARSEN 2,998,150

COMBINED BOAT TRAILER AND SHELTER 4@ j f L ll:

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2,998,150 COMBINED BOAT TRAILER AND SHELTER Robert P. Larsen, 5146 Sheridan Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Aug. 19, 1957, Ser. No. 678,900 7 Claims. (Cl. 214-394).

This invention relates to a combined boat trailer and shelter, and more particularly to a trailer structure having Ia permanently attached shelter which is collapsible to cooperate with a removable boat.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a trailer structure which will hold a boat in cradled relation and have a collapsed shelter in protective relation therewith, said boat being conveniently removable from the trailer and the shelter expansible in its mounted condition upon the trailer structure to provide living quarters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trailer having a collapsible shelter which will be permanent and rigidly formed at its upper portion, and exible at its lower portion, the uppery portion being capable of holding a bed structure and storage areas while the lower portion is capable of being retracted to create carrying space for a boat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wheeled trailer, convertible to a shelter, which is capable of transporting a boat together therewith, said boat being so positioned and secured as to be capable .of transporting together with the trailer and shelterportions either on land or on water. i

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein'like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of my invention showing the shelter in collapsed condition and a boat properly mounted on the trailer, the extended position of the boat being shown in part in dotted line structure;

FIGURE 2 is a top Viewvof my trailer assembly, portions thereof being cut away to better show the internal structure and other hidden parts being shown in dotted FIGURE 3 is a somewhat. enlarged .Vertical section taken on the line 3--3 of FIGURE 2, the boat being removed and the lower ilexible member of the shelter being lowered to the ground;

FIGURE 4 is another enlarged section taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE l the boat being removed and the lowered position of the yshelter being indicated in dotted configuration; and

FIGURE 5 is another enlarged section taken on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3.

With continued reference to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES l and 2, my trailer assembly comprises generally a Wheeled supporting frame 10, a shelter structure 11, a boat 12, and boat pulling and elevating mechanisms A13.

It is intended that the wheeled supporting frame be so constructed that the shelter structure 11 can be supported thereon and a lower portion thereof be raised when not in use as a shelter to provide means for boat 12 to be positioned thereunder and protected by the shelter. When so arranged, the trailer assembly may be transported from place to place and the boat 12 may be launched or removed from the assembly so as to make possible the setting-up of living quarters by dropping the collapsed flexible portion of the shelter 11 to create shelter space with usual facilities such as slteping quar-y ters and cooking and storage provisions.

The wheeled supporting frame 10 has a main frame ted States Patent O ice member 14 which is symmetrically arranged with respect to the drawbar 15 disposed at the front of the assembly. The frame 14 defines an open boat-receiving space 16, as shown in FIGURE 2. Additional brace members 17 may be provided at the forward end for attaching drawbar 15 and for securing a dolly wheel 18 pivotally thereto. Downwardly extending supports 19 at each side ofthe main frame v14 carry rubber tired wheels 20 while maintaining the open and unobstructed space 16 for lowering the shelter 11 when the boat .is removed, as shown in FIGURE 5. A removable bar 21 may be secured across the rear end of main frame 14 so as to give addition support to a boat 12 when suspended, for transportation. If desired for additional rigidity of the framework when transporting the trailer assembly, removable cross` braces 22 may be secured `to the main frame 14 in the manner and in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

The shelter 11 is mounted on the main frame 14 in permanent relation thereto and has an upper rigid member 23 having depending top 24 and depending side wall portions 25 extending marginally around the top 14. The height of the upper shelter member 23 is selected so that it may provide bunk spaced and suiicient space for utility shelves and the like which will be described later in the specication.

The lower iiexible shelter member 26 also forms. a. part of the shelter 11 and comprises depending wall members 27 which may besecured closely adjacent the lower of the short depending wall members 25 of the upper rigid structure 23. A -iloor 28 which may also be constructed of canvas may be secured marginally to the ilexible walls 27 so as to create a completely enclosed structure when the lower shelter member 26 is permitted `to fall to the ground, as shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. The lower shelter member 26 may be provided with a .flexible liap door 29 and an inner screen door 30, if desired. When' the lower shelter portion 26 is raised, no additional articles or structure need be disposed therewithin, the entire exible wall and iioor structure being collapsible upwardly to closely underlie the upper rigid shelter member 23. When thus raised, retaining means such as straps 31 may be secured under the collapsed portion, as shown in FIGURE 4. Straps '31 may be looped at their ends about opposed portions of main frame .14 and may be provided with convenient fasteners such as buckles 32 for drawing up and maintaining the exible .shelter member 26 in its collapsed position. Additional openings which may be screened as at 33 may be provided in the side walls .of the lower exible shelter portion 26, as shown in FIGURE 5.

. With lreference to FIGURES 3 to 5, it may be observed that the rigid upper structure 23 may be provided with utilityspace structures capable of holding appliances, clothing, food and. the like, and transporting the same even though the entire trailer assembly be utilized as a vboat-carrying device. The bunk or bed portion is shown at the forward end of the rigid upper shelter portion 23 andV is indicated generally at 34. The support area 35 ofv the bed is disposed laterally lacross the upper shelter structure 23 and an area 36 may be provided for bedding when the bunk is not in use. .A forward window 37 may be disposed in the forwardmost of the short depending wall members 25. Immediately rearward of the bunk portion 34 is a exible drape 38 and a clothes bar 39 is supported transversely of the rigid uppe-r structure23 near the roof 24 and adjacent the drape 38. The rear portion of the shelter 11 is so constructed as to provide a full length intermediate space 40 beneath the roof 24, each side of the rear portion of the shelter being provided with storage or cupboard structures 41 and 42, respectively. Each of the storage or -cupboard structures "Whe'ntheshelter 'is' in raised condition, inthe various utility compartments, and itxis understood that folding chairs and the likemay be placed onl the supporting area 4of the bed 35 or `in other utility spaces or compartments y provided in the upper structure 23. vAny members nor- VV'mally extending downwardly into the space created by the lowered flexible portion26 are also of exible nature so'that they may be raised therewith when the trailer assemblv is prepared for transportation. 'Thus, the drape 38 will naturally collapse along with the lower shelter 'structure 26 and any clothing 4S suspended from the ,clothes bar 39 will likewise be moved upwardly with the flexible lower shelter portion when it is raised.

With the shelter 11 collapsed upwardly and with the straps `31 drawn tightly to support the'collapsed shelter, "the boat-receiving space 16 is utilizedfor pulling boat 12 "thereinto and in suspended relation closely underlying'the collapsed portion of the shelter 11. Meansfor pulling the boat into position and maintaining it in suspended re- `la'tion comprises a"rst winch 46, as shown' in FTGURE `2, mounted at the forward portion of supporting frame `10 adjacent the apex of main frame 14. lThe winch 46 lhas a drum-47 ando a crank 48 journaled across bearings 49 and may be provided with conventional ratchet means .150 which will prevent the unwindingof winch `46 when manual force on crank 48 is released. A cable'Sl is seycured to tbe drum 47 and extends rearwardly` for engagement with boat 12 at 52, as shown in the dotted line posi- ,tion of FIGURE 1. A second winch mechanism 53 is Ymounted slightly rearwardly of the winch 46 and also is provided with bearings 54V securedto tl'vefframe` 10Aand lhas journaled thereacross a crank shaft 55Y to which is securedadrum 56 in tbe mannershown in FIGURES l .and 2, A pair of cables57 Vand 58 are secured to .the ldrum 56 and extend rearwardly through respective` pulleys 59 and 60, which in turnare secured at a forward position on the rigid upper shelter structure 23, as-shown iriFIG- ,URE 2. From the respective pulleys 59 and 60, the cables .'57 and 58 are trained rearwardly to another pair of respective pulleys 61. and ,62, at, one side of the rigid upper Ashelterstructure 23 and from these. pulleys the .cablesf57 andl 58 extend transversely underneath ,the shelter'll to Y.respective anchoring points 63 and, 64 at .the opposite side ,of the` shelter 11. .The cables 57 and 58 are relaxed so as. tolie onthe ground when the boat 12.v is pulledl for- VWardly. Then, when the boat has been pulled/by Winch v46 toaalpo/sition underlying..thefshelter 11, thev second winch means`.53 is rotatedtodraw up the cables 57 and ,`Sand.b'ring the'` boat 12 to the position shown in FIG- 1 where it is protected andsuspended in closely un- .derlying relation with respect toffshelter 11. The second winchmeans 53 may alsobe provided with a conventional Aratchet mechanism.65 which willrprevent the accidental unwindingtof the WinchlSS during suspension of the boat '12.

A vmotor such asoutboar'd motor;66 may be mounted on.thetransom 67,of.boat12 and permitted to remain in .that position ,during transportation. The transverseA suppoting bar 21 serves to -assist in supporting the boatV and motor structure whenin raised position as shown in ',FIGURES 1 and 2.

.The use and operation of my trailer assembly will be .evident from the fforegoing. .It may '.be pointed out, however, Vthatthe'boat 12 can be so centered with re- '4 `specthto the trailer-structure 10 andthe shelter 11 that the entire assemblage may be transported by water as, for example, when settingup camp on an island. The motor 66 is then operatedfrom a position on top of the shelter roofvf24.until1the rubber tired Wheelsf20 and dolly wheel 18 arebeached. 'lhe. entire trailer assembly can then be manually movedto itsdesired location, first having removed itsA boat andmnotor from .the trailer assembly.

It may thusbe seen that'lI havedevised a novel trailer assembly wherein a shelter is so constructed as to colvlapseand cooperatively'overlie al suspended boat-removable'from 'theassembly to permit the shelter to be extended-ready`for use. It willi be noted that the entire trailer assembly has over-al1 dimensionswhen loaded for transportation which: are not substantially greater than the 'dimensions of a conventional suspension-type trailerand boat without the additional benetit of the' shelter.

It `willjof course, beunderstood that various changes lmay be made in `theforrn,`details, arrangement and proportions of` theY parts witho'ufdeparting from the-scope of my invention.

`What` I claim is:

l. A trailer assemblycompri'singya generally horizontal `wheeled supportin-gframe havingV an unobstructed medial area, af shelter struoture mounted on said supporting I`frame and -'havingafroofarea disposed o-ver,and a'depending'lexi-ble w`a`ll portionsecured edgewise peripherally of said roof area and disposed within, the unobstructed area; said flexible wall portion being collapsible-upwardly under the roof area to deine a boat-receiving space, and means for `supportinga boat'closely under thefupwardly collapsed 'flexible lwall portion.

"2. Atrailer assemblycomprisin-g,` a generallyk horizontal wheeled supporting frame having an unobstructed medial areapa shelterstructurermounted on said supporting `frame and having'a roof` area-"disposed over, anda depending flexible wall portion secured edgewise peripherally `(")fsaidroofarea anddisposedwithin, the unobstructed area,"s`aid flexible Wall portion being collapsible upwardly undertheroofareaftodeinea boat-receiving space, Vmeans securableacrossthesupporting'frame for holding the exible" wall"portion'y in upwardly collapsed-position, and means for'supportingaboat closely under the `up- 'wardly collapsedexiblecwail portion.

i 3. A trailer assembly comprising, a generally horizontal wheeledsupportngframeihaving an unobstructed medial area, .a shelter structure `mounted on said supporting fnameand havingral roof areadsposed over, and a depending flexible Wallportion secured edgewise peripherally of said roof area and disposed Within, the'unobstruoted Wall area, said flexible wa-llportion being c'ollapsibleupwardly under the roof area to fdene a boat-receiving space, means securable acrossv thek supporting frame for holding 'theilexiblewall portion inV upwardly collapsed position, and winch means adapted toy pullv a boat under the upwardly collapsed exiblefwall portionand retain said boat thereunder. v

4. A trailer assembly comprising a generally wheeled supporting vframe having an` unobstructed medial area, a shelter stru-cture'mounted on said supporting frame and V.having a roof, a 'depending llexible wall portion secured at its Aupper edge peripherally about said roofand a transverse bottom sheet` securedperipherally to the lower edge of said flexiblewalljportion and "defi-ning a ocr `disposed withinthe unobstructed area, said lloor and ,saidftlexible wall portion being collapsible upward-ly to fdene a boat-receiving space, means securable across the., supporting frame for'holding the. floor and exible lwallp'ortion in upwardly collapsedpposition, winch means Yadapted tovpull a boatlunder the `upwardly collapsed yllexible Wall portion, :and second winch means adapted to raise the boat in cradled and protected relation against the underside of said oor.

5. A trailer assembly comprising, a generally horizontal "wheeled supporting frame'having an 'unobstructed medial area, a permanently [formed upper shelter member secured to said `frame in elevated relation with respect to the ground, said upper shelter member dening a roof and short depending walls disposed marginally thereyabout within said unobstructed medial area, a flexible lower shelter member defining a continuous wall secured in depending relation to said short depending walls, said exible lower shelter member being capable of collapsing upwardly in closely underlying relation with the short depending Walls to dene -a boat-receiving space, and means adapted to` suspend a boat on the Wheeled supporting frame in closely underlying relation with the llexible Ilower shelter member in its upwardly collapsed condition.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5, and utility space structures mounted within the permanently Iformed upper shelter member, said utility space structures having doorways in said short depending walls for access thereto externally of the assembly.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein one of said utility space structures has a bed secured laterally across the permanently formed upper shelter member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,202,747 Roloson May 28, 1940 2,543,349 Britton Feb. 29, 1951 2,772,912 Neff Dee. 4, 1956 

